What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
participating
Example
I am participating in the school play this year. [participating: present participle]
Example
She enjoys participating in group activities like sports and games. [participating: verb]
joining
Example
He is joining the chess club at school next semester. [joining: present participle]
Example
We are joining the party at the park later today. [joining: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Participating is more commonly used than joining in everyday language. Participating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while joining is more specific and often used in formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between participating and joining?
While joining is typically associated with a more formal tone, participating can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.